Jose Mourinho's Real face fixture crisis with Manchester United Champions League game three days after Clasico

Jose Mourinho has always fought hard to make sure his players are given
maximum time to prepare for big Champions League matches but he is unlikely
to have much joy rearranging the league game that precedes his team’s second
leg against Manchester United – Barcelona are the rivals.

Oh no! Jose Mourinho wants to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs but a fixture pile-up will not help his causePhoto: GETTY IMAGES

The Clasico on Saturday, March 2 is just three days before the second leg at Old Trafford and it could get worse. If both qualify Madrid and Barcelona will meet in the semi-finals of the Spanish Cup on Wednesday, Feb 27.

The marathon of big games will be manageable if Madrid can turn their season around and get their important players fit and back in form.

Star striker Karim Benzema has scored only three league goals so far this season and his only replacement, Gonzalo Higuain, is injured. They are also missing influential attacking full-back Marcelo, who broke a foot in October with Brazil.

Real have already dropped more points this season than in the whole of last season and are 13 points behind leaders Barcelona. Such is the disarray that Madrid were desperate to avoid the competition’s heavyweights in the draw.

But the club will not be short of confidence that they can beat United. Mourinho is the master of turning seasons around. Inter were disappointing in 2010 when they finished second in their Champions League group but still went on to win the trophy.

For Cristiano Ronaldo the draw gives him the opportunity to play in front of the supporters who have continued to sing his name long since his departure.

At the weekend he became Real’s all-time sixth highest scorer with his 126th goal for the club but he has never been shown quite the same affection by Madrid supporters as by those at Old Trafford.

“We hope to have everyone back fit and ready by the time of the first leg,” said Real Madrid spokesman Emilio Butragueño. Higuain should return next month but Marcelo is more likely to return in February.

Real Madrid are aiming to become the first side to win the Champions League 10 times and Mourinho wants to become the first coach to win it with three different clubs. Having emerged from the so-called 'group of death' he must now face his old friend and rival Ferguson.

If he does reach the Wembley final he will have done it the hard way, just as in 2010 when his Inter side had to play Barcelona four times en route to beating Bayern Munich.